Samsung is expanding its mid-range lineup once again with the launch of the Galaxy A56 5G, Galaxy A36 5G, and Galaxy A26 5G, hitting the Malaysian market on March 18, 2025. These devices promise improved AI-powered photography, gaming performance, and entertainment features—without the flagship price tag. But are they worth your attention? Let’s break it down.
Photography Gets an AI Boost
The Galaxy A56 5G stands out as the camera-focused device in this lineup. With its ultra-fast shutter speed, it allows users to snap multiple shots in rapid succession—ideal for capturing fleeting moments. Samsung’s Nightography tech, typically reserved for its premium Galaxy S series, makes an appearance here, optimizing low-light shots for better clarity and detail.
Selfie enthusiasts will appreciate the 12MP Video HDR camera, which balances different exposures to ensure vibrant and sharp images. AI-driven features like “Best Face” also help select the most flattering shots from multiple frames, reducing the need for retakes.
Gaming Performance: What to Expect
For those prioritizing performance, the Galaxy A36 5G is geared towards mobile gaming, packing a Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 chipset. Meanwhile, the A56 5G runs on Samsung’s Exynos 1580. While neither matches flagship-tier processing power, they offer solid performance for casual and mid-tier gaming.
Both models sport a 5000mAh battery with Super Fast Charge 2.0, now upgraded from 25W to 45W, cutting down charging time to just over an hour. A larger vapor chamber—similar in size to the one in the Galaxy S24+—helps regulate heat, ensuring smoother gameplay and improved efficiency when multitasking.
A new AI-powered “Object Eraser” feature is also included, letting users remove unwanted elements from photos with a single tap. It’s a neat addition, but how well it works in real-world scenarios remains to be seen.
Entertainment & Everyday Use
The Galaxy A26 5G is positioned as the go-to device for entertainment. It features a large 6.7-inch Full HD+ Super AMOLED display with Vision Booster technology, enhancing brightness and color accuracy. Dolby Atmos support also brings a more immersive audio experience, whether you’re streaming or gaming.
Samsung’s “Circle to Search” integration with Google adds a handy AI touch—letting users highlight objects in photos to get instant information. On the security front, all three devices include Samsung Knox Vault for enhanced data protection.
Longevity & Software Support
Samsung continues its commitment to long-term software updates, promising up to six generations of OS and security updates for these models. The IP67 water and dust resistance rating is also a welcome inclusion, making these devices more durable than many competitors in the mid-range segment.
Pricing & Availability
The Galaxy A series lands in Malaysia on March 18, with promotional offers available until March 31. Here’s a breakdown of the pricing:
| Model | RAM + Memory | RRP | Price After Rebate[1] | Colour Availability | Promotion[2] |
| Galaxy A26 5G | 6+128GB | RM 1,199 | RM999 | · Black · Mint · Peach Pink | · Exclusive e-voucher worth RM100[3]
· Double Storage upgrade worth RM200
· 1-year Extended Warranty worth up to RM129[4]
· Up to 30% off together with purchase of selected Galaxy Watch, Buds, Tablet or Accessories[5] |
| 8+256GB | RM 1,399 | RM1,199 | |||
| Galaxy A36 5G | 6+128GB | RM 1,499 | RM1,299 | · Awesome Lavender · Awesome Black · Awesome White · Awesome Lime | |
| 12+256GB | RM 1,699 | RM1,499 | |||
| Galaxy A56 5G | 8+128GB | RM 1,999 | RM1,799 | · Awesome Lightgray · Awesome Graphite · Awesome Olive · Awesome Pink |
- [1] While stocks last. Terms and conditions apply.
- [2] While stocks last. Terms and conditions apply.
- [3] Valid for customers who purchased an RM100 e-voucher with RM10 via Samsung Reservation+ from 24 February – 17 March 2025. E-voucher is only redeemable for Galaxy A56 5G, Galaxy A36 5G and Galaxy A26 5G
- [4] Subject to registration and verification.
- [5] Applicable for selected Galaxy Tab (Max 2 units), Galaxy Watch (Max 1 unit), and Galaxy Buds (Max 1 unit) and accessories (Max 3 units) in the same transaction. Promotion is valid while stocks last. Terms and conditions apply.
While these devices aren’t bringing groundbreaking innovation to the table, they offer solid upgrades for Samsung’s mid-range lineup. The A56 5G appears to be the standout choice for photography lovers, while the A36 5G could be the better pick for mobile gamers. The A26 5G, meanwhile, serves as a budget-friendly option for entertainment and everyday use.
Whether these upgrades justify an upgrade from last year’s A-series remains to be seen, but for those in the market for a new mid-range phone, Samsung’s latest offerings are worth considering.
We’ve done an unboxing and early impression piece on the A56 earlier today that you can check out here if you’re curious about the phone.
